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3.
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
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4.
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
Reading Focus
• What challenges did King Charles I face when he became
Emperor Charles V?
• What were some artistic achievements of Spain’s golden age?
• How did Spain rise and then decline under Philip II?
Main Idea
1. Spain experienced a golden age during the 1500s, but
economic problems and military struggles decreased Spanish
power by the 1600s.
The Power of Spain

5.
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
• Absolute monarchs believed
they ruled by divine right
• Monarchs received power from
God, must not be challenged
• 1500 through 1700s, absolute
monarchs tried to impose their
will across much of Europe,
lands beyond
• In Spain, Charles struggled to
keep empire under control
Imposing Their Will
• 1516, teenaged Charles
became King Charles I of Spain
• Inexperienced, but had one
kingly trait—as member of
ancient, powerful Hapsburg
family, prepared to rule as
absolute monarch
• Absolute monarch, ruler whose
power not limited by having to
consult with nobles, common
people or their representatives
Kingly Trait
The King Becomes Emperor

6.
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
When Charles became king of Spain, he inherited the Low Countries
of Belgium and the Netherlands, along with colonies in the Americas.
• 1519, throne of Holy Roman
Empire became vacant
• Position elective; Charles
borrowed money to buy votes
• Became Holy Roman Emperor
Charles V
– Holdings expanded to parts of
Italy, Austria, various German
states
– So vast ‘the sun never set”
over it
Emperor Charles V
• Ruling vast territories not easy
task for Charles
• Faced enemies on all sides—
Ottoman Turks, French,
rebellious German princes
• Also fought for religious
control over Europe
• Wanted Europe to be Roman
Catholic
• Growing Protestant movement
threatened influence
Enemies Everywhere
Charles V and the Empire

7.
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
Peace
• Agreement gave each German prince right to decide if his state
would be Catholic or Protestant
• Charles’ vision of a Catholic Europe never became reality
• Constant warfare also brought Charles to brink of bankruptcy
Confrontation
• 1521, Charles confronted Protestant leader Martin Luther directly
• In spite of Charles’ efforts, Protestants gained influence
• Rebellions against Catholic rulers spread
• After years of warfare, Charles V had to sign Peace of Augsburg

8.
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
Success in Americas
Charles V more successful in Americas than in
Europe
• During reign, Spanish explorers claimed much of
Americas for Spain
• Among explorers King Charles supported
– Hernán Cortés, who conquered Aztec empire
– Francisco de Coronado, who explored American Southwest
region
• Silver and gold flowed from American colonies
• Brought Spain fabulous wealth

9.
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
• Brother took over
Hapsburg holdings in
Austria
• Son, Philip II, ruled
Netherlands, Spain, Sicily,
Spain’s colonies
• Charles V moved to
monastery, dream of
unified empire unfulfilled
Imposing Their Will
• Frustrated by failures in
Europe
• 1556, Charles V gave up
thrones
• Decided to divide large
empire
• Split between his brother
and his son
Relinquished Thrones
Dividing the Empire

10.
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
Draw Conclusions
In what ways was Charles V successful as
an emperor? In what ways was he
unsuccessful?
Answer(s): successful—exploration of the
Americas, which brought fabulous wealth to
Spain; unsuccessful—did not maintain religious
control over Europe; constant wars brought
financial problems

11.
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
• 2. From 1550 to 1650, Spanish golden age of artistic achievement
• Became known as the Golden Century
• One of most prominent
painters, Greek Domenicos
Theotocopoulos
• Became known as El Greco;
style famous for elongated
figures
• Much work religious, reflected
Spain’s central role in Counter-
Reformation
Art
• Another Spanish painter,
Diego Velázquez
• Created masterpieces
portraying people of all social
classes with great dignity
• Velázquez had privilege of
being the court painter
Court Painter
Artistic Achievements

12.
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
Writers
• Spanish golden age also
produced fine writers
• Greatest was Miguel de
Cervantes
Colonial Writers
• Writers in Spain’s colonies
produced works of merit
• Sister Juana Ines de la Cruz
wrote poetry, prose, plays
Cervantes
• Most famous work, Don Quixote
de la Mancha
• About man caught between
medieval, modern worlds
Church Criticism
• Church officials criticized Sister
Juana for some of her ideas
• She believed women had right
to education
Literature

13.
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
Summarize
What were some achievements of Spain’s
Golden Century?
Answer(s): paintings by El Greco and Velásquez,
writings by Miguel de Cervantes and Juana Ines
de la Cruz

14.
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
• 3. Spain at peak of grandeur with reign of Philip II
• One reason—stream of gold and silver from colonies in Americas
• With wealth came power—but gold could not solve Spain’s problems
• King Philip II devout
Catholic
• Saw himself as leader
of Counter-
Reformation
• Marriage to Queen
Mary I of England
chance to spread
Catholicism
Religion and Revolt
• Mary died before
having heir to return
England to Catholic
faith
• Philip also wanted to
secure position of
Catholicism in
European territories
Catholicism in
Territories
• Philip’s faith clashed
with Calvinist
Protestantism of
northern Low Country
provinces
• 1560s, bloody revolt
began
Revolt in the Low
Countries
Spain under Philip II

15.
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
Dutch Revolt
Dutch refused to declare allegiance to Philip
• To punish, Philip sent army under command of Duke
of Alba
• Alba set up court
– Known locally as Court of Blood
– Tortured, executed thousands suspected of being rebels
– Cruelties made situation worse; rebellion broke out anew
• Revolt dragged on for decades
• 1609, truce reached
• Seven northern provinces formed independent
nation, the Netherlands
• Southern provinces remained in Spanish hands

18.
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
Relying on traditional agricultural economy, Spain’s economy lagged
behind that of other countries. Spain declined as a major power.
• The defeat of the Armada was not the end for Spain, which
recovered from the loss.
• But England remained Protestant, defiant, and undefeated.
• Spain’s real problems internal
• Philip’s government centralized
• He trusted no one
• Court riddled by factions,
suspicion
• Government action practically
came to standstill
Internal Problems
An Empire in Decline
• Philip spent wealth from
Americas on constant warfare
• Borrowed money often; went
bankrupt four times
• Prices driven up, inflation
• Spain did not develop industries
Americans Join the Battle

19.
The Monarchs of Europe Section 1
Recall
What were two events that caused problems
for Spain?
Answer(s): revolt in the Netherlands; defeat of
the Spanish Armada